I almost skipped writing today. It’s been getting more difficult of late, but I thought of something I wanted to say. It’s not about world news, it’s not deep philosophy, and it’s not even music. It’s the new addition to the household, an air fryer. Beruthiel picked one up and I didn’t wait to try it. I discovered I was mistaken about what an air fryer was. I thought it cooked the food with a mist of heated oil. That made so much sense to me. Doesn’t frying mean cooking in hot fat? I was going to say oil, but I often fry in butter or bacon fat. You can also fry in lard. But you need some lipid to fry in, right? Historically that’s what it meant but it’s not what an air fryer is. It’s just a convection oven with an extra-powerful fan. You can roast or bake in an air-fryer. You can also toast bread. That’s the very first thing I used it for. Last night I tried what I was most excited about, making French fries. It ends up that you make fries in an air-fryer exactly like you make roasted potatoes in an oven. I coated them in olive oil and seasonings, garlic salt, black pepper, MSG, and chili powder. The only thing I did differently was the shape I cut the potato into. I decided to take advantage of the rotisserie and cooked them in the drum so I wouldn’t have to turn them over. What came out was very tasty but not French fries. They were not in the least crispy on the outside. Next time I try making them on the racks and using the French fry setting. As I made it in the drum I did it manually. I just set it for maximum temperature in 15 minutes.
I’m looking forward to making buffalo wings in it. It will take less time than in the oven and as I’ll be cooking it on perforated sheets with a dripping pan they won’t be cooked in their juices. That should make them crispier. I’m sure I’ll discover more ways to take advantage of it. If nothing else it will bake a potato faster than in the conventional oven.
I remember their finally being a Met that was older than me and then it seemed like in no time I was older than all the players. I’m very disappointed that I didn’t remember who the first player younger than me was or the last player older. Thanks to Baseball-Reference I was able to look it up. Alex Trevino is 38 days younger than me and made his debut on 9/11/78. The last Met older than me was Brett Butler in the 1995 Season. He was traded away on 8/18/95. For about 17 years I would not be an outlier by age on the Mets’ roster. Have any of My Gentle Readers done this for themselves and their favorite team?
Tonight, I’m going to an Elizabeth Warren rally at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn. I’m excited to see Liz again and it will be my first time in that beautifully restored theater. Where should Liz and I go for a late snack after the rally? Maybe I should ask her. Maybe I should ask her if she wants to go out for a late snack. Maybe I should let her know that I exist. Nah, that would take all the spontaneity out of it.
Wise Madness 